Modular cabinet for storage of items in refrigerator

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a modular cabinet for storage of items in a refrigerator. The modular cabinet includes plurality of cabinets replaceably attached to the refrigerator. Each of the plurality of cabinets includes a rear wall configured to fit along the length of the refrigerator, a first sidewall attached to the rear wall configured to fit along the breadth of the refrigerator, a front wall attached to the first sidewall configured parallel to the rear wall; and plurality of shelves configured along the breadth of the first sidewall and between the rear wall and the front wall, wherein each shelf are spaced together to store items; wherein the rear wall, first sidewall and front wall are replaceably attached to the refrigerator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to refrigerators, and more particularly relates to a modular cabinet for storage of items in a refrigerator.

2. Description of Related Art

As advancements have occurred with refrigeration appliances, such as materials, temperature control, and space configuration, other advances have occurred regarding the variety and type of storage capabilities inside the appliance. Drawers, crispers, glass and wire shelves, storage bins, and plastic molded shelves are well known. But advancements in their makeup and configuration, and the combinations of such components continue to proceed.

Modern refrigerator shelves often include a shelf panel supported by multiple frame members. The frame members cooperate to sandwich the periphery of the panel there between. One issue with shelves that they cannot be pulled out as the structure and thus restricting the shelves to be used in other refrigerators. Another issue is competition for space inside the appliance. A further factor is the cost of materials, manufacturing, and assembly.

Therefore, there is a need of modular cabinet for storage of items in a refrigerator. Further, the modular cabinet includes plurality of vertical shelves replaceably attached to the refrigerator. Furthermore, the plurality of vertical shelves may be replaceably attached to other refrigerator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with teachings of the present invention, a modular cabinet for storage of items in a refrigerator is provided.

An object of the present invention is to provide a modular cabinet for storage of items in a refrigerator. The modular cabinet includes plurality of cabinets replaceably attached to the refrigerator. Each of the plurality of cabinets includes a rear wall configured to fit along the length of the refrigerator, a first sidewall attached to the rear wall configured to fit along the breadth of the refrigerator, a front wall attached to the first sidewall configured parallel to the rear wall; and plurality of shelves configured along the breadth of the first sidewall and between the rear wall and the front wall, wherein each shelf are spaced together to store items; wherein the rear wall, first sidewall and front wall are replaceably attached to the refrigerator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the front wall of each cabinet as glass cabinet or as an aluminum cabinet. The glass cabinet allows see through the items stored in the refrigerator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the modular cabinet including plurality of second sidewalls to prevent the items to fall from the shelves, wherein each of the second sidewall attached on the shelf, wherein each second sidewall is shorter in height to allow easy access to the items.

These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a modular cabinet for storage of items in a refrigerator in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates another perspective view of a modular cabinet having aluminum door in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates another perspective view of modular cabinet having glass door in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates another perspective view of a modular cabinet having second sidewall for storage of items in a refrigerator in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

While this technology is illustrated and described in a preferred embodiment, a modular cabinet for storage of items in a refrigerator may be produced in many different configurations, shapes, sizes, forms and materials. There is depicted in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, as a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and the associated functional specifications for its construction and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations within the scope of the technology described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a modular cabinet 100 for storage of items in a refrigerator 102 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The modular cabinet 100 includes plurality of cabinets such as 104 a, 104 b, 104 c replaceably attached to the refrigerator 102.

The cabinet 104 a includes a rear wall 106 configured to fit along the length of the refrigerator 102, a first sidewall 108 attached to the rear wall 106 configured to fit along the breadth of the refrigerator 102, a front wall 110 attached to the first sidewall 108 configured parallel to the rear wall 106 and plurality of shelves 112 such as 112 a, 112 b, 112 c configured along the breadth of the first sidewall 108 and between the rear wall 106 and the front wall 110.

Further, each shelf 112 a, 112 b and 112 c are spaced together to store items. The each shelf is aligned vertically in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The rear wall 106, the first sidewall 108 and the front wall 110 are replaceably attached to the refrigerator 102.

FIG. 2A illustrates another perspective view of a modular cabinet 200 having aluminum door in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The front wall 110 is made up of aluminum.

FIG. 2B illustrates another perspective view of a modular cabinet 200 having glass door in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The front wall 110 is made up of glass to allow see through to the items stored in the refrigerator. It would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various material may be used to create front wall 110 without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates another perspective view of a modular cabinet 300 having plurality of second sidewalls 302 a, 302 b and 302 c for storage of items in a refrigerator in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Each of the second sidewall 302 is attached to each shelf. For exemplary purposes, the second sidewall 302 a is attached to the first shelf 304 a, second sidewall 304 a is attached the second shelf 304 b, and the third sidewall 304 c is attached to the third shelf 304 c.

The height of the second sidewalls 302 is shorter in length to prevent the items to fall of the shelf. Further, the height of the second sidewalls 302 is shorter so to provide easy access to the items stored on the shelf. Further in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the modular cabinet 300 includes labels 306 for defining the items. The labels 306 are placed on the second sidewall.

Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow. 

1-7. (canceled) 8-9. (canceled)
 10. A modular refrigerator, with an interior defined by a back, top, bottom, two connecting sides, and an attached movable front door, the modular refrigerator consisting essentially of: a) a cabinet, slidably attached to an interior of the modular refrigerator, consisting essentially of; i) a back wall, parallel to the two sides of the modular refrigerator, and proximate to at least one of the two sides of the modular refrigerator when the cabinet is fully inserted into the modular refrigerator; ii) a rear sidewall, attached to the back wall, being parallel to the back of the modular refrigerator, and being proximate to the back of the modular refrigerator when the cabinet is fully inserted into the modular refrigerator; iii) a front sidewall, coupled to the back wall, being parallel to the first side wall, and being proximate to the front door of the modular when the cabinet is fully inserted into the modular refrigerator; and iv) a shelf, coupled to the cabinet, and positioned along the back wall and between the front and rear sidewalls, and being parallel to the bottom of the modular refrigerator; b) a moving device, coupled between the modular refrigerator and the cabinet, holding the cabinet in a first position that completely positions the cabinet within the modular refrigerator, and a second position that substantially positions the cabinet outside the modular refrigerator so that the front and rear sidewalls are parallel the back of the modular refrigerator, the front sidewall is extended out of the interior of the modular refrigerator, the rear sidewall is extended to be proximate to the exterior of the modular refrigerator; and c) an opening, completely positioned to take up all space located between the back wall and the rear and front sidewalls, and the shelf, positioned to enable a user to reach through the opening without encountering any other wall therein to easily grasp items on the shelf without having to reach into the interior of the modular refrigerator when the moving device is in the second position.
 11. The modular refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the shelf has a width that is adjustable to make the overall shelf width smaller or larger.
 12. The modular refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the shelf is adjustable by having a first and second section being parallel to each other, wherein the first section is designed to slide over the second section to thus decrease the overall width of the entire shelf. 